Rafael Nadal advances to Barcelona Open quarter-finals

World number one Rafael Nadal maintained his quest for a ninth Barcelona Open title with a comfortable 6-3, 6-3 over Ivan Dodig, racking up his 42nd win in 43 matches at the tournament.

The 13-time major singles champion has been far from happy with his form in recent weeks, but after a slow start had far too much for the world number 37 as he broke four times in total before sealing victory in an hour and 23 minutes.

Nadal's only loss in Barcelona came on his debut as a 15-year-old in 2003 when he was beaten by compatriot Alex Corretja in three sets in the second round.

His winning streak is now at 41 in a row, with Nadal losing just three sets in that spell.

Next up for Nadal in Barcelona is a meeting with fellow Spaniard Nicolas Almagro, as the world number 20 overcame compatriot Fernando Verdasco 6-3, 6-3 to avenge his defeat in the Houston final just 11 days ago.

There was to be no such joy for another Spaniard Tommy Robredo, though, as he succumbed to 12th seed Marin Cilic 7-5, 6-7 (7-3), 7-6 (7-5).

Cilic will face Japanese fourth seed Kei Nishikori in the quarter-finals as he eased to a 6-0, 6-4 victory over Kazakhstan's Andrey Golubev.

Meanwhile, the third-seeded Gael Monfils advanced from the second round of the Nastase Tiriac Trophy in Bucharest.